Too many Savannahians have turned frosty on the city’s hottest celebrity. The People feature is a feel-good one: It chronicles how she’s lost 40 pounds and inspired her husband and grown children to slim down as well.

Yet judging by the eye-rolling in the grocery checkout line and snarky comments being traded among anonymous message board posters, you’d think the People story was about Lindsay Lohan’s latest travails or, worse, Manti Te’o’s love life.

Deen’s success, once a source of universal community pride, is now almost sinister to some.

She’s a sellout, they say.

Her syrupy accent and chipper personality are exaggerated, they claim.

She’s a publicity hound, they cry.

Not to sound too much like the schoolyard bully, but what’s it to you, Paula haters?

Mad because you now have to call ahead to get a table at her restaurant?

Or just jealous?

She’s no villain

Deen is difficult to dislike.

Her rise to small business success, never mind international fame, is right out of the Hallmark Hall of Fame. Her story — recently divorced mother and agoraphobic grows homemade sandwich delivery service into Savannah’s most popular eatery – inspires no matter how often you hear it.

Her latest challenge is health related. She has Type 2 diabetes. The diagnosis prompted the weight loss chronicled by People. She, her husband and her two sons have combined to lose 178 pounds, Deen told People, and she credits a new mantra: “Moderation, moderation, moderation.”

Granted, she committed a faux pas in lining up an endorsement deal with a diabetes drug maker prior to publicly announcing the problem. She took some deserved criticism for that mistake.

But she weathered that blowback with grace, refusing to strike back. She’s spoken with her actions since, highlighted by the weight loss and her eat-in-moderation message. Some say she should do more, that she should shut down The Lady & Sons’ buffet, renounce butter and become a pitchwoman for broccoli stalks and Brussels sprouts.

Maybe she should, but failing to do those things does not make her a villain. And considering all the good she’s done and is doing for this community, from charitable giving to the economic impact her celebrity brings to her city, she could be labeled a hero.

We, her neighbors in Savannah, should at the least be out front supporting her if not trumpeting her success.

Misunderstood image

Local vitriol for Deen is shortsighted.

Like it or not, she is our city’s highest-profile ambassador. People nationwide associate Savannah with Deen.

And not the gooey, buttery, unhealthy image of Deen her detractors focus upon. It’s her warm, welcoming, joyful personality that shines through and reflects so positively on our city.

Deen personifies the Savannah spirit to outsiders. Many find our town as fun-loving and caring as she is, as evidenced by our ever-escalating tourism numbers. One couple from Ohio enjoys their visit and goes home and tells their circle of friends. Those friends visit, have a similar experience and tell their friends. And so on and so on.

Plus, Deen has inadvertently spawned a foodie culture here, perhaps in detriment to her own business. New restaurants, many offering health-conscious menus, are opening across the historic district.

So when you see that People magazine cover this week while standing in line at the grocery checkout, don’t roll your eyes, wrinkle your nose or snicker. Smile back instead.

Adam Van Brimmer’s column appears each Monday. He blogs several days a week at www.savannahnow.com and also is a social media regular @avanbrimmer on Twitter and Daddy Warbucks on Facebook.

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Paula Deen doesn't need you to stand up for her. This is Savannah, and Savannah decides when you've had enough and it's time to go home and count your blessings. Savannah loved her when she had one struggling restaurant, not a chain; when she had one tv show, not three; when she had two cookbooks, not 22. The problem-- for some-- is that Paula outgrew Savannah. They developed some sort of "Paula Fatigue". They're just sick and tired of hearing about her. It wasn't enough that she had to tell every last detail about her private life in her autobiography, she kept right on a-tellin' everything to the point that even her closest friends and family wishes she had some sort of filter. Few people get sick and turn that into a business venture as well, and if what made you sick is your own cooking, then maybe you've given the public all it needs to make fun of you.

The sad fact of the matter is that all of it has kicked in to the point that the famous line around the block at her place has vanished. Not all of that can be laid at the local doorstep. Personally speaking, I think Paula surrounds herself with the wrong advisers. She takes too much advice from New York and not enough from York Street. You got to dance with the one that brung ya...and Paula Deen has run off with Oprah to dance with the stars. By contrast, YOU DON'T SEE STRATTON LEOPOLD ACTING LIKE THAT, and he hangs with the biggest names in show biz. Yet he still comes home and dishes up ice cream and never lets Savannah forget that he's one of US. Paula Deen doesn't set foot in her restaurant unless it's for some sort of personal appearance.

Stratton Leopold does a far better balancing act than Paula Deen. If I want to talk to Stratton, I can drop in on him anytime. If I want to talk to Paula, I have to go through a gauntlet that rivals trying to reach the president. So just remember, Adam, it wasn't so much a case that Savannah turned on Paula Deen; she turned into someone else.

As for that "support" you say Savannah should lend Paula, Savannah has already made her a multi-millionaire. How much more support is one woman entitled to?

......the Paula who was a regular on the Video Poker machines at the Starvin Marvin on Skidaway Road in the wee hours ......chain smoking like a chimney .....or the Paula on the Video Poker machines on Sunday mornings at the Citgo on Whitemarsh Island..........that's Savannah's Paula. Not the "Plastic Paula" parading around these day looking like a Grandma version of Pamela Anderson.

Yes, she is a great success, but just like after too many Krispy Kremes, you get a belly ache and don't want any more.

going out of her way to market herself locally. Frankly with her image showing up on almost every other magazine cover in conjunction with her cookware, well frankly Paula Deen suffers from overexposure just like Martha Stewart. Adam Brimmer, you can smile back and support Paula on behalf of her adopted hometown. Odds are that she isn't losing any sleep over lack of support from locals.

Ms. Deen may be a business leader, an economic success, and a rags-to-riches story, but please, it is not fair to real heroes to refer to her as a hero. She has saved no lives and has only offered sacrifices from her excesses to share with the needy.

I knew her before the fame and fortune. She's ramped up the phony accent and "Southern" mannerisms because it sells a few cookbooks. I ate at her restaurant once. That was enough. The food was nothing special. I'll bet she doesn't give a flip about what the locals think.

I am proud to have Savannah identified with Paula Deen and her enterprises.
She is human, and has overcome many personal, financial and other blocks in her evolving journey, just like us all.
So many people pass judgement, wanting their t.v. celebs to be more than human,but yet assailable targets should any thing bad turn there way...ready to pounce like jackels and self satisfied and smirking in the tumble...somehow, it elevates their miserable lives.
The Deen family is a large contributor to the Bethesda Academy in Savannah, contribution money and services, and who knows to how many other causes.
I am not asking any locals to force eat at any of her restaurants, but realize that she employs locals, and gives a face to Savannah that draws tourist, and their money.

Your little column doesn't seem to have garnered much "support" for the Deens. You know, kinda like Tom Barton's editorials; you've missed the mark and you are not in touch with the general readership of this newspaper. Since it has created the kind of response that is not helpful to you or the Deens, maybe you should kill this story before it does more damage to you both.

As for the sentiment that the Deens should be appreciated for hiring locals, I would suggest that there are more former employees than current and that few of them have fond remembrances of their time served. The former manager of Uncle Bubba's lawsuit includes some rather informative and damning evidence of what life is like behind the scenes at Deen Enterprises. Again, I wouldn't go there, if I were you.

If I had any advice to give to Paula Deen-- that is, if she's truly worried about what her neighbors think of her-- then I'd tell her to turn around and go back to what made her everybody's Aunt Polly: she should go back to work in her restaurant like every other successful celebrity chef and run it like the family business we first fell in love with. But Paula is too busy running all over the country and doing everything but tending the home fires, and so it is plainly obvious to her neighbors that she doesn't really care what we want from her or what she thinks of our opinion. Ultimately, that is why commentators here do not agree with you and why Paula does not need your "support". Here endeth the lesson.

walking into the newsroom as the first Black reporter in 1968, Wally immediately made me comfortable and began a mentoring process that I consider the foundation of my journalism career. Rest in Peace and Thanks.

It's remarkable that in Savannah the discussion is about one cook; while in Charleston they celebrate a "culture of cooking" quality Southern meals. Savannah doesn't do itself any justice by focusing on one cook; I grew up there and most, if not all of the primary cooks were African American and the City developed a strong reputation of fine foods in its restaurants. Perhaps, Brimmer should follow Ms. Dean around town when she regularly explores the many African American cafes and restaurants for ideas, he would see a whole culture of cooking waiting to be explored.

I saw how she dismissed locals when she first started getting the big head. The locals made her but once she started taking flight she turned on the locals in many ways and has since used the popularity of her adopted hometown to further her business. A business woman she is, a champion of Savannah, she's not. And why anyone would stand in line for her grease soaked, flavorless food, I have no idea. All hype.

but my post was deleted because someone did not like it. I spoke the truth and you lovers of Paula Deen can't handle the truth. Paula is a FAKE, FRAUD, and embarrassment to our fine city. She has kissed men's abs on tv, licked chocolate fountains at swanky parties spreading germs, and had a 10-year affair with a married prominent Savannah attorney. She stated this tidy bit of news on Larry King - it's no big secret. I would never dress black boys in tuxes parading them around to serve people at a wedding. I am no FAN and my info of her food being FRESH came from help unloading cans of food used in her restaurant. A worker doing remodeling asked the help, "I thought her food was fresh?" The response was, do you believe everything you hear? I like REAL PEOPLE and Paula Deen is not one of em!

Wouldn't it be great if all the problems we have in this country, with an out of control gov. , shot ecom. too many free loaders selling their vote to politicans, and too many more problems too list, all went away and all we had to worry about is if we liked PD or didn't like PD. Get real people. Wheres your concern about the way this country is being flushed down the drain?

Paula Is indeed a fake . She used Savannah. After she marketed herself well on the national scene, she doesn't need the locals anymore. Very few people can duplicate what Mrs. Wilkes did. She served large groups daily with fresh, great tasting food. Lots of restaurants use canned foods, but they make an effort to give them the fresh taste by adding seasoning and other home style additives.

... it was a showdown between Mrs. Deen and Mrs.Wilkes? Kind of unfair since Mrs.Wikes is DEAD! If you don't like Paula Dean's cooking, I suggest you don't eat there, I don't.

Paula must have been very beloved here once. It is said to truly hate someone you must first love them. I'll admit I don't get the vitriolic behavior toward Deen since I am indifferent. When you say Dean is a phony, do you mean as opposed to other Hollywood celebrities?

I don't know Paula Deen and I enjoy Adam's columns and surprised at the vitriol in these comments. You may not like her marketing strategy but people flock to Savannah and eat at her restaurant and help the local economy. She is good for Savannah and returns much to many charities..you just cast the first stone....love thy neighbor is the second commandment. Such hate ..shame

I have been to her restaurants before and after she became famous. Neither time was the food that good. So many better restaurants to choose from in this city. She did not make this a FOODIE city - Mrs. Wilkes, Pirates House, etc. made this a Foodie City.

is terrible?...what rock have you been under? Look where she is because of HER FOOD. Listen i dont know her never met her. Who cares if she smokes and play's video poker at your stomping grounds?Two FACTS are she cooks great food and she represents savannah ga. I think the news media went way over board with paula.Bottom line folks dont hate so damm much. Paula just keep on keepen on. LET THE HATERS KEEP ON HATEN.

Adam, what you don't know about "why hometown folks" are not as "warm toward Paula has nothing to do with jealousy, her fame, or money. It has to do with honesty and integrity. Unless you were born in Savannah and have followed this "Hallmark Story" you don't have a clue. At least 50% of her recipes from her first cookbook came from the black cooks in the kitchen on Barnard Street (her first restaurant). However for some strange reason, no credit was given to them. The following cuisine all came from these five black ladies; collards, mac & cheese, fried green tomatos, red rice and many others. It's ok to "borrow" but not to claim, if it's not really yours. Just "Think" how do you go from "making sandwiches" to a full blown "buffet"? I'm not saying that she didn't have "some skills" in the kitchen, but not the culinary expertise to carry off the "Lady & Son".

Paula is a better representative of her hometown Albany but simply lacks the class and sophistication that most Savannah residents expect from a person billed as their "unofficial" spokesperson. It's really quite sad. I feel sorry for her since I'm sure she'd like to be accepted as one of Savannah's own. But she's no Johnny Mercer.

I have tried for years to get company lunches into Lady and Sons--they tell me to stand in line and get a number. I can go to Mrs.Wilkes and say I need to get a business lunch in (give them date and time) and they always fit us in, no standing in line required.

There are other examples of local restaurants who realize the need for the patronage of locals that do not expect you to wait behind the tourist hordes. PD has always been very haughty in her treatment of patrons--so what goes around comes around.

So--yeah--she abandoned us and now that the economy is tight and the tourist trade is waning you want us to support her? No thanks, I'll dance with the ones that brung me...and it's not Paula Deen!

in town... just like the Fairmont. Mrs. Dean's greasy spoon don't cut the mustard however..

Ernest T. Bass

A former resident of Mrs. Wilkes boarding house where every morning at breakfast, before 7 o:clock, her staff was preparing meat loaf, snapping beans, washing greens, getting the red rice going, getting chicken ready to fry, and not a sign of a can. Forty years ago.

While I do think her "Southernisms" are a bit over the top, that's the name of the game here in Savannah. If you go through all the River Street and Historic District shops, you see a lot of Paula Deen themed items for sale. There are a lot of people making money off her celebrity. I say more power to her and them !! There are a lot of tourists coming to Savannah who were first introduced to our fair city through Paula Deen. She's picked up where Forrest Gump and "The Book" have left off. I don't have an agenda with her,But I do a lot of work with groups that come here to experience Savannah. And a lot of these groups do spend a lot of money here.

City ordnance forbids farm animals. Citizen out on Ferguson with cow in a field has to get rid of it. Paula Deen on the Islands, in a neighborhood allowed to keep rescue chickens? Fair treatment and no resentment.

are 2 people who have bought millions of dollars to Savannah. Yet most people in Savannah will only have negative things to say about them. Why is that?
Yall should be more [filtered word] off at the thugs running around shooting up the city and causing havoc making Savannah unsafe.

with good home cooking that's cheap, with lots of locals to chat with, is Larry's on Skidaway. Good food and Good groceries. I support locals who are REAL! I love you Larry's!!!!! You're the Real Deal!!!!!!

I am not going to Larry's to pick up a date or swoon over the elite of Savannah's high and mighty. A lot of the people who eat at Larry's are elderly and on a fixed income. Some are president's of local companies too. You have a mixture. So may I surmise that you dislike the elderly! One day Jacob, you too will be old, crippled, wrinkled or disabled. The old are wise, interesting, and I always enjoy talking with them about Savannah, the ole' days, crime, and when Savannah was a simple town. I pity you for you ignorance!

I have no issue with the people who support Larry's Restaurant, and I am happy that there is a place that is affordable to people who might be on a fixed income. As to older people being the wiser, I certainly agree and I spend my time with a very diverse group of people both young and old. Unfortunately, when I have visited Larry's Restaurant I find it to be mostly full of older white people, those who probably could not afford to leave Savannah's Eastside with the others who exited to the Southside during the "white flight" of the late 1950's and 1960's. It is appauling to me to overhear some of the racist remarks made by these people. I consider myself fortunate not to be in a position to have to dine with these people. Perhaps if they would have worked as smart as I have, they would be in a different position.

You're not originally from around here are you? The first thing to do when you are in a hole and want to get out is to stop digging. I suggest you stay away from Pinkie Master's as you might find that establishment even more "Appauling" (sic) than Larry's.

My mom eats there about twice a week, (she is not a racist) and for your info jacob, she has lived on Wilmington Island for the last 48 years (not a white flighter). I always suggest Mrs Wilkes or Larry's for good home cooked food, or my mom's house if you are lucky enough to get an invite.

I'm-a gwine over to Larry's today for lunch and to discuss how to turn the mayor's state of the city address into a circus next week. We will also be discussing crime, the search for a new city manager, that audit of rochelle small-toney that has been lost in the ether, the impact of the flowers interview about his abuse at the hands of tony thomas, tourism, arenas, ballparks and cruise ship terminals. Then it should be time for dinner, and we will have to adjourn the meeting and move over to the Crystal Beer Parlor in order to discuss recall elections, finding new faces to serve in public office, and the Shooting of the Day.

Please don't embarrass yourself. You sound like a SNOB and more to the point, you haven't a clue what you're talking about. Just because people don't wear designer suits when eating lunch and a lot of hard workers eat at Larry's, there's no reason to act like a SNOB and embarrass yourself. Not only do you have presidents of local companies frequent Larry's, you have local attorneys who eat there also. Many fine upstanding people eat there and they have enough integrity, self worth, and money that they don't have to flash their cash to feel important. You are a very insecure individual, aren't you? Now don't make up some BS about, I am a CEO or I have a doctorate degree. Yea sure..... you're tooting your horn on this forum, when you have no horn to toot!!!!!

I am from Savannah, and not afraid to stand up for whats right. I am so happy that you are able to produce a few "token blacks" that eat or have eaten at Larry's to validate yourself. As to Paula's hair stylist, he should not speak such ill will of her and expect it not to get back. Either support who you work for or get out. Further, I would not eat at Clary's as it is rat infested, so you and your older white friends enjoy!